The Chargers have always been a team connected often to rewarding undrafted free agents who impress in camp with an active roster spot. From Antonio Gates to Austin Ekeler, there’s more than few notable names who went from afterthought to impact player for the Bolts.
Who will be that next player to defy the odds and find themselves sticking around in Los Angeles?
If you’re CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards, you believe former Oregon left tackle Isaiah World is that guy for the Chargers this year.
“The Chargers,
perhaps scarred by last season’s injuries to Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, signed World to the largest deal in undrafted free agency: $534,400 in practical guarantees. World was never the first-round prospect he had been billed as prior to last season, but he was a top-100-caliber overall. Coming off an injury of his own, World can become a quality swing tackle for the AFC title hopefuls.”
There was a lot of discrepancy between sources on World’s height, seeing him as tall as 6’9 and as short at 6’5. Per his draft profile that takes the numbers from the combine, World is actually 6’5. Not otherworldly-tall (pun intended), but still very solid all the same.
World needs a ton of polish, but the God-given traits he possesses are something you just can’t coach. You can see the aggressive temperament on the field and the easy movement skills, but it’s his hand usage and fundamentals in pass pro that likely will take some time to solidify in the NFL.
For now, World is expected to take a redshirt year after tearing his ACL in the college football playoff. In year two, he will likely make a big push for the team’s swing tackle role. If Trey Pipkins plays elsewhere in 2027, then that push becomes a bit easier.
As for some other names that Edwards believes could strive for a roster spot late this summer, he names former Western Michigan star pass rusher Nadamae Tucker, cornerback Avery Smith (learned under Quinyon Mitchell at Toledo), and linebacker Lander Barton (pair of NFL brothers). Tucker would be my best best due to his knowledge of Chris O’Leary’s defensive system which he played in during his breakout 2025 campaign for the Broncos.
Is there any other undrafted free agent from this year’s group that should also be highlighted amongst these players? Who did Edwards miss out on? Who deserve more attention than they’re currently getting? Let us know all of your thoughts below!
